My Mother Was Always Praying

Latter-day Saint Woman in East Germany During World War II

About the Lecture

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was strong in Germany before World War II, but the war brought danger and chaos. The teachings of the gospel and the fellowship of the Church strengthened, blessed, and comforted the faithful Latter-­day Saint women in East Germany as they endured the trials of war.

Jay A. Parry is an editor and writer for the LDS Church History Department. He previously worked as an editor for the Ensign magazine and Deseret Book Company. He has authored more than two dozen books in both the national and LDS markets. Some of his titles include Symbols and Shadows: Unlocking a Deeper Understanding of the Atonement, co-written with his brother Donald Parry, and The 12 Purposes of Life: A Down-to-Earth Guide for the Mortal Traveler. In addition, Jay is one of the creators and compilers of Best-Loved Stories of the LDS People (which ran three volumes). His latest book is “Back to First Principles”: A Conversation with George Washington. He has taught classes at BYU Education Week for more than a decade. He and his wife, Vicki, are the parents of seven children and have nine grandchildren.

This event was part of the 2013 Men and Women of Faith lecture series sponsored by the Church History Library. Lectures are held the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, 50 North West Temple. Validated parking is available at the Conference Center.